2000 BUICK PARK AVENUE wheel

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Keys
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-8 Remote Keyless Entry System
2
-13 Trunk
2
-15 Theft
2
-16 Content Theft-Deterrent System
2
-17 PASS-Key
III
2
-19 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-20 Ignition Positions
2
-21 Starting Your Engine
2
-22 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-23 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-27 Parking Brake
2
-28 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-30 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-31 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-31 Engine Exhaust
2
-32 Running Your Engine While You're Parked2
-33 Windows
2
-34 Tilt Wheel
2
-35 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-42 Exterior Lamps
2
-45 Interior Lamps
2
-48 Mirrors
2
-53 Storage Compartments
2
-61 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-61 Sunroof (Option)
2
-62 HomeLink
Transmitter (If Equipped)
2
-66 The Instrument Panel - Your
Information System
2
-68 Instrument Panel Clusters
2
-71 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-82 Head-Up Display (HUD) (If Equipped)
2
-84 Driver Information Center (DIC)
(If Equipped)

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Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five different positions.
ACCESSORY (A): In this position you can operate
your electrical power accessories. Press in the ignition
switch as you turn the top of it toward you.
LOCK (B): This is the only position from which
you can remove the key. This position locks your
ignition, steering wheel and transaxle. It's a
theft
-deterrent feature.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It doesn't lock the steering
wheel like LOCK and it doesn't send any electrical
power to the accessories. The instrument panel cluster
will remain powered in OFF to illuminate the gear shift
indicator. The cluster will also activate the parking brake
light when the parking brake is set. Use OFF if you
must have your vehicle in motion while the engine is
not running.

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There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It's the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can't move easily.
CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in RUN. If you
cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift
lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as
you maintain brake application. Then move the shift
lever into the gear you wish. See ªShifting Out of
PARK (P)º in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
ªStuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.

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NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don't shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn't covered by your warranty.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
): This position is for
normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you're:

Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.

Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You'll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
):

When driving on hilly, winding roads,

When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears, or

When going down a steep hill.

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SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to use
your brakes off and on.
NOTICE:
Don't drive in SECOND (2) for more than
5 miles (8 km), or at speeds over 55 mph
(88 km/h), or you can damage your transaxle.
Use AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
) or
THIRD (3) as much as possible.
Don't shift into SECOND (2) unless you are going
slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you can
damage your engine.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud.
If the selector lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle
won't shift into first gear until the vehicle is going
slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can't rotate, don't try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transaxle. Use your brakes or shift into PARK (P)
to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.

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Parking Brake
This vehicle has a PUSH
TO RELEASE parking
brake pedal. To set the
parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal down
with your right foot.
Push down the parking
brake pedal with your
left foot.
Whether the ignition key is in RUN or OFF, the brake
system warning light stays on while the parking brake
is set.
The parking brake uses the brakes on the rear wheels.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down and push the parking brake pedal with your
left foot. This will release the parking brake pedal.
When you lift your left foot, the parking brake pedal
will follow it to the release position.If you try to drive approximately 20 feet (6.1 m) with
the parking brake on, the brake light stays on and a
continuous chime sounds until you release the
parking brake.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index. That part shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.

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Press the window lock button a second time to allow
passengers to use their window controls again. The light
in the center of the switch will go off to indicate that the
feature is disabled.
Vehicles are delivered programmed to lock out all
passenger windows. If you have the optional DIC,
you can choose to lock out only the rear windows.
See ªPersonal Choice Featuresº or ªDriver Information
Centerº in the Index for programming instructions.
If you do not have the DIC feature, see your dealer if
you choose to have this setting changed to lock out only
the rear windows.
Horn
Nearly the entire surface of the center pad of the
steering wheel is an active horn switch. Press on the pad
near the horn symbols to sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering wheel allows
you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when you exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever toward you. Move the steering wheel to a
comfortable position, then release the lever to lock the
wheel in place.

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CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don't use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control.
Don't use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage.
(See ªTraction Control Systemº in the Index.)
When road conditions allow you to safely use it again,
you may turn the cruise control back on.Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.
1. Move the cruise control
switch to ON.